It’s no secret that the headlines in Minnesota today could make people shake their head and walk away from people. Too bad. We’re focusing on the wrong people.

The Paralympics games begin in London in a few days. Minnesota has a fair number of athletes. Here are some of them.

Mallory Weggemann of Eagan received an epidural injection to help treat back pain in 2008. But something went wrong and she’s paralyzed from the waist down. She now holds 34 American records and 15 world records. She’s ranked number one in the world in six of the seven Paralympic swimming events.

Alana Nichols of Farmington broke her spine at 17 when attempting a backflip while snowboarding. She’s paralyzed from the waist down. She is now a wheelchair basketball player and she’s also become an alpine skier. She’s the only U.S. woman to win medals at both the summer and winter paralympics.

John Rydberg of Oakdale coaches women’s tennis at Woodbury’s East Ridge High School. He’s competing in doubles tennis. He was paralyzed at 13 when a truck rolled on him.

About the blogger

Bob Collins has been with Minnesota Public Radio since 1992, emigrating to Minnesota from Massachusetts where he was VP of programming for Berkshire Broadcasting Co. He was an editor at the RKO Radio Network in New York, and WHDH Radio in Boston. He is the founder of the MPR News’ website. He is a private pilot and flies an airplane he built.